Raisi Vows to Respect Election Outcome

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Ebrahim Raisi, one of the four candidates running for Iran’s presidency, said he will respect the outcome of Friday’s election, calling on all people and parties to obey the law.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Raisi said everybody should practically abide by the law and respect the results of the polls irrespective of who wins the election.

“We should all respect the votes of people. One of the glories of the Islamic Republic is the presence of people for shaping various institutions,” he lauded.

Iranians headed to the polls as soon as the stations opened on Friday morning. More than 56,400,000 eligible voters can cast their ballots in 63,429 polling stations across Iran.

There are four candidates seeking presidency in the polls, including incumbent President Hassan Rouhani, Ebrahim Raisi, Mostafa Hashemitaba, and Mostafa Aqa-Mirsalim.

A run-off would be held next Friday if none of the candidates wins a majority, which is at least 50 percent plus one vote.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei was one of the first voters in Friday’s polls.

Calling for maximum turnout in the election after casting his ballot, the Leader said, “I believe that the presidential election is very important. The country’s fate is in the hands of all people who elect head of the executive force. They (people) should pay regard to the significance of this action.”

Ayatollah Khamenei also urged the voters to attend the election with knowledge and awareness.